UFC president says Carano deal is 'close'

ABS-CBN News

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White announced that they are are "close" to a deal with women's MMA pioneer/actress Gina Carano, although he warned that the situation remains complicated.

White added that matters will become clearer in the first week of September.

"We have to see how this thing plays out," he said. "Like I said, I wouldn't know more about that until September. First week of September, I should have more answers."

Carano has not fought a competitive MMA fight in five years. Her last fight was a technical knockout loss to Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino, which saw her lose the Strikeforce women's featherweight championship.

Should Carano sign with the UFC, a fight with reigning women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey becomes possible, although White again did not commit to the showdown.

"I don't know. I had plans, but now I don't know," he said of a potential Rousey-Carano showdown.

Rousey, for her part, has expressed a willingness to fight Carano, even at a catchweight, as she credited the "Haywire" actress for being a pioneer for women in the sport.